| GUI:  Features: Ease of use: Value:  |  | ShellToysXP is a piece of software that integrates into the Windows Shell, adding a convenient menu to the right click menu with tons of little toys (which mimic Windows PowerToys) and cool addons.
The toys are amazing, at least the ones you can find useful.
But there are just too many of them...and you probably wont use half of them.
Some of the toys are an improvement of Windows Powertoys.
For example, the powertoy called Open Command Window here, or something. The windows powertoy will add that to the right click menu, but it only shows then you right click a folder. It will open a command window (CMD.exe, not the Command.exe file :)) and it will already be in the folder you right clicked.
The ShellToysXP alternative has the same functionality, but it adds a little more in that you dont have to JUST right click a folder. You can right click inside a folder (like anywhere on the desktop for example) and have it open a command window in that folder.
There are so many toys that are improvements on other things in the world i cant name them all. The only reason the command window toy comes to mind is that its one of the few toys i actually used.
From my recollection the menu was a little slow to open, but its no big deal if you ask me.
Not only is there the right click menu, there is a settings window....so its a real program, rather than just a shell integration. In that program you can modify the programs that show up in the ShellToys menu to your likes.
ShellToys gives you an XP feel...hence the XP in the name. So it succeeds in that.
But for $46, ShellToysXP is definitely not worth it. As i said, you probably wont end up using half the things that come with the program. That alone isnt enough to warrant paying $46.
Besides, most of the tools in the program can be easily reproduced, and im wouldnt be surprised if they already exist.
I know of a few outside of the Command here toy...
There is one that lets you move or copy a file or folder to any location on the hard drive (which is supposed to be an improvement of the "Send to" menu that comes default with Windows since the 95 days). Well you dont even need to look that far for a freebie that does the same thing. Windows already has this built into XP, except not in the right click menu. With a little google searching, you can find a little registry file that you can integrate into the registry and gain this functionality (search google for "move to copy to").
Then theres another toy that lets you read the hash sums of certain files...MD5 hash i believe. You need not look far for a freeware alternative. Its called HashTabs. It implements as a tab in the properties window (right click a file and click properties). And not only does it do MD5 hashes, but SHA1 and CRC32.
So as you can see, all the toys, which are conveniently listed on the software's homepage, can easily be had for free.
The software is great if you want to pay $46 and can honestly say you can find a use for all the toys offered.
But for $46...go buy a computer game... |
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(Very Good)
